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Monday, 2 September 2013

Singapore: Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands

Many cities are now campaigning to be more green, but Singapore's Gardens by the Bay is built on a concept that really takes everything to the next level.

It's not about building more parks in the city, its about creating a City in a Garden.

The Supertree Grove is an iconic element of Gardens by the Bay, towering above the rest of the park.These manmade structures have solar panels to collect energy, and are covered with ferns, vines and other climbing plants.

OCBC is the biggest sponsor of the park, and they don't let you forget it! You can make your way up to the OCBC Skyway (for a small fee) and at night, these trees light up for the OCBC Garden Rhapsody.

At the top of the tallest one is SuperTree by IndoChine. At 50 metres high, it seems like a unique dining experience, so I'm definitely adding to my list for next time!

The outdoor parts of Gardens by the Bay are free, and the paths guide you through the different themed areas of the park.

There is the World of Plants...

...and there are the Heritage Gardens: Indian, Chinese, Malay and Colonial....

and then there is....

... a floatingbaby?

You can just see the skyscrapers of Singapore's central business district peeping out in the background.

There are two cooled conservatories at Gardens by the Bay, you can't miss them as they are two massive glass domes. To get inside, the park charges an admission fee. Unfortunately, the Flower Dome was closed on the day we visited, so we were only able to visit the Cloud Forest.

As soon as you enter, you are greeted by a wave of refreshingly cool misty air. It comes the splash at the bottom of the Falls, the world's tallest indoor waterfall.

The mountain is planted with bright and colourful flowers, and you can walk all the way around it, and go up to the top too!

A pond at the top of mountain.

Ah! So that's why, despite all the nature here, there's no insects to be found!

With the water coming down from such a height, it's inevitable that you'll get splashed.

Stalactites or stalagmites? I still remember a neat little trick from primary school to always get it right: Stalactites hang on tite (tight, geddit? =D) to the ceiling!

Over the dragonfly and kingfisher lake is a bridge which allows you to walk to the side of the park which is linked to Marina Bay Sands.

This striking new hotel is the only tall building in the area, and the views from the top are said to be phenomenal. However, access is only for hotel guests or restaurant/bar patrons, otherwise, you'll have to pay for an admission ticket. Here's some gorgeous photos to prove it!

In front of the hotel is The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, selling only the biggest designer brands.

Including a flagship LV store that inhabits its own island!

But fear not! Even if you are broke don't plan on spending, you don't have to stand and watch the more fortunate buy all the items you wish you had, instead, check out this mesmerising whirlpool display.

All the water empties through a hole in this bowl into a pool inside the shopping mall!

Across from the Marina Bay Sands complex is the CBD of Singapore.

Perfect spot for a touristy photo...

...before saying goodbye to the fantastic view of Singapore's skyline, and heading through Marina Bay Sands back to Gardens by the Bay.